More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That’s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009!
Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important Bird Area Program. (See the master list of species recorded.)
- Blackheaded Gull via Nosferah/Flickr
- Common Murre via Rachid H/Flickr
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Dickcissel via Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
- Little Gull via Tom Benson/Flickr
- White-faced Ibis Harry Liggett
- Hudsonian Godwit
- Sandhill Crane
- Red-headed Woodpecker by Ken Lee
- American Golden Plover via Tom Benson/Flickr
- King Rail via Carol Foil/Flickr
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron
The birding may be over, but you can still support Bird-a-thon by making a donation to your favorite team or participant. Bird-a-thon is Mass Audubon’s largest fundraiser, providing important support to wildlife sanctuaries and programs across the state. See Bird-a-thon 2016 results and award winners